Artic Grayling Habitat
TYPE – Stream Habitat, Pond Habitat
GOAL – Add functional spawning and overwinter habitat to an existing pond/wetland complex in the centennial valley for artic grayling conservation
LOCATION – Beaverhead County, MT
DATE – 2023 - 2025
CLIENT – Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks
SCOPE – Topographic surveying, pond grading plan, channel engineering and design, revegetation plan, aquatic resource inventory, construction oversight
DETAILS – Design involved the creation of 1,900 feet of spawning channels, integrated into the existing pond and wetland complex. These channels were constructed to provide the optimal substrate size and water velocities necessary for successful Arctic Grayling reproduction, and were connected to a tributary of Red Rock Creek to facilitate fish outmigration. To ensure the pond's ability to provide suitable overwintering habitat, the pond was re-graded and deepened, ensuring reliable habitat even during drought years.
Foster Slough Restoration
TYPE – Stream Restoration
GOAL – Restore historic water extents and fish habitat; improve existing duck pond; enhance lower Foster Slough
LOCATION – Victor, ID
DATE – 2022-2024
CLIENT – Private Landowner
SCOPE – Topographic/bathymetric surveying, grading plan, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, revegetation plan, permitting, construction oversight
DETAILS – In the upper slough, where flows are ephemeral, surface water was increased by installing check dams and excavating into the shallow water table. This intervention increased the availability of suitable habitat for shorebird and waterfowl nesting and rearing.
In the lower slough, where flows are perennial, the focus was to increase habitat complexity and establish self-maintaining pool frequency. The objective in this reach was to enhance juvenile overwintering fish habitat.
LEMHI RIVER AT THE KENNEY CREEK CONFLUENCE
TYPE – Stream Restoration
GOAL – Improve water quality and habitat for ESA listed anadromous salmonids
LOCATION – Tendoy, ID
DATE – 2022-2025
CLIENT – Lemhi County Soil & Water Conservation District
SCOPE – River Surveying, Hydraulic Modeling, Restoration Design, Construction Ready Plan Set
DETAILS – Original project designs included side channel work on the river right floodplain as well as project components in the mainstem channel. In January 2024, a significant ice jam event occurred downstream of the project area that caused damage to private property. In response to this event, the project design process was halted and re-evaluated for risk of ice jamming. After consulting with regional stakeholders and private landowners, the Sponsor decided to remove all mainstem channel work to minimize ice jamming risk. The project was then redesigned to accommodate this feedback. The design utilizes engineered log jams and side channel excavation to activate 1.7 acres of wetland, floodplain and overflow channels.
Cart Hollow sPRING
TYPE – Pond Design
GOAL – Create a 0.2 acre pond with wildlife habitat and aesthetic benefits
LOCATION – Squirrel, ID
DATE – 2023-2024
CLIENT – Private Landowner
SCOPE – Topographic surveying, pond design and engineering, revegetation plan, construction oversight
DETAILS – The pond is an engineered, lined system that is sustained by an adjacent spring. To ensure a consistent supply of cold, oxygenated water throughout the summer months, a spring box collection system was installed. Additionally, IMA secured a private pond permit from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, enabling the stocking of the pond with trout. Since its completion, the pond has attracted a diverse range of wildlife, and the owners have observed numerous species benefiting from the habitat it provides.
Elliot Creek Restoration
TYPE – Stream Restoration
GOAL – Increase habitat quality for juvenile trout
LOCATION – Victor, ID
DATE – 2022-2024
CLIENT – Private Landowner
SCOPE – Topographic/bathymetric surveying, grading plan, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, revegetation plan, permitting, construction oversight
DETAILS – This area supports one of the last strongholds of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, a species of high conservation concern. Several restoration prescriptions were applied, drawing from conditions observed in reference reaches. To reduce channel width, transplanted wetland vegetation was used to improve fine sediment transport and bank stability. Pool habitat was expanded through excavation to create more overwintering opportunities for juvenile Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Poorly functioning channel segments were abandoned, and new channels were constructed through existing mature riparian vegetation, providing immediate shading and cover—key elements for high-quality habitat.
Hell Roaring Creek - stream restoration
TYPE – Stream Restoration
GOAL – Improve in-stream habitat for native fish, Improve floodplain connectivity, Promote aquifer recharge, Reduce sediment inputs from excessive bank erosion.
LOCATION – Beaverhead County, MT
DATE – 2018 - 2020
CLIENT – Private Landowner
SCOPE – Topographic Survey, Restoration Design, Construction Ready Plan Set, Environmental Permitting, Construction Management, Project Monitoring
Corral Creek Ranch - Fish and Wildlife Lake
TYPE - Lake and Wetland Complex
GOAL - Construct a highly functional lake and wetland complex for wildlife and recreational fishing
LOCATION - Beaverhead County, MT
DATE - 2018 - 2020
CLIENT - Private landowner
SCOPE - Topographic Survey; Wetland Delineation; Groundwater Study; Construction Ready Plan Set; Permitting; Water Rights Transfer; Construction Management; Revegetation; Project Monitoring
SILVER SIDE CHANNEL - SALMON HABITAT RESTORATION
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Restore a disconnected side channel to the Methow River to provide juvenile Chinook rearing habitat
LOCATION – Twisp, WA
DATE – 2016
CLIENT – Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Hydraulic Modeling, Channel Restoration, Salmonid Habitat Enhancement, Revegetation Design
SALMON RIVER - BANK STABILIZATION
TYPE – Bio-engineered Streambank Stabilization
GOAL – Bio-engineer a bank stabilization solution to protect the highway and a public access point on the Salmon River.
LOCATION – Ellis, ID
DATE – 2014
CLIENT – Idaho Department of Transportation
SCOPE – Topographic Survey, Hydraulic Modeling, HEC-RAS analysis, Bioengineered Bank Stabilization Design, Installation & Revegetation
NEWFORK RIVER - River RESTORATION
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Develop a comprehensive restoration plan that maximizes fish habitat, natural river functions and recreation opportunities on 1.5 miles of the Newfork River.
LOCATION – Sublette County, WY
DATE – 2015 - 2021
CLIENT – Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Trout Unlimited, BLM
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis; Topographic Survey; Geomorphic Assessment; Channel Restoration, Bank Stabilization, Boat Ramp Design; Wetland Delineation; Construction Oversight
Little Sawmill Creek - Salmon Habitat Restoration
TYPE – River Restoration; Spring Creek Restoration
GOAL – Restore stream and floodplain functions to provide juvenile salmon and steelhead rearing habitat within the footprint of a historic calving and feedlot area near the town of Baker
LOCATION – Lemhi, ID
DATE – 2016-2018
CLIENT – Trout Unlimited
PARTNERS – Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program, Bonneville Power Administration, Private Landowner
SCOPE – Topo and Bathymetric Survey; Wetland Delineation; Groundwater Well Installation, Monitoring & Analysis; Hydrologic, Geomorphic, Hydraulic & Ecologic Analyses, Civil 3D CAD designs, Basis of Design Report; Permitting Assistance; Construction Management; As-built Survey
Corral Creek - fish habitat enhancement
TYPE – Stream Habitat Enhancement
GOAL – Improve spawning and juvenile rearing habitat for one of the last endemic populations of Artic Grayling in the lower 48 United States.
LOCATION – Beaverhead County, MT
DATE – 2018 - 2020
CLIENT – Private Landowner
SCOPE – Topographic Survey, Stream Design, Construction Ready Plan Set, Environmental Permitting, Construction Management, Project Monitoring
CROW CREEK - TROUT HABITAT RESTORATION
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Maximize trout habitat and angling opportunities on a degraded creek.
LOCATION – Afton, WY
DATE – 2015
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Channel Realignment, Trout Habitat Enhancement
LEMHI RIVER ENGINEERED LOG JAM & BANK STABILIZATION
TYPE – Bio-engineered Streambank Stabilization
GOAL – Bio-engineer a bank stabilization solution that reduces bank erosion, increases hydraulic roughness, prevents a channel avulsion, and provides fish habitat on the Lemhi River.
LOCATION – Baker, ID
DATE – 2013
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Bank Stabilization Design, Construction Oversight
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SWANSON SIDE CHANNEL
TYPE – Bio-engineered Streambank Stabilization
GOAL – Restore an eroding river bank, reduce the flooding frequency at a home site and create juvenile overwinter habitat for Steelhead and Chinook salmon
LOCATION – Salmon, ID
DATE – 2015
CLIENT – Lemhi Regional Land Trust
SCOPE – Groundwater Monitoring, Topographic Survey, Hydraulic Modeling, HEC-RAS analysis, Bioengineered Bank Stabilization Design, Habitat Restoration Design, Construction Management
Lemhi River - Salmon Habitat Restoration
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Improve bank, channel and riparian conditions to address shade and habitat in areas where existing channel geometry and riparian vegetation is impaired
LOCATION – Leadore, ID
DATE – 2017-2018
CLIENT – Lemhi Regional Land Trust
PARTNERS – Rio ASE (DESIGN PARTNER), Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, Trout Unlimited, Private Landowner
SCOPE – Field data collection & analysis, revegetation design, 404 permitting, HIP III, coordination with partners, construction management, native plant revegetation
New channel utilizing existing willows and herbaceous wetland vegetation
Eighteenmile - Salmon Habitat Restoration
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Move an existing irrigation point of diversion upstream and reconnect a straightened section of creek to its historic channel and floodplain
LOCATION – Leadore, ID
DATE – 2017-2018
CLIENT – Lemhi Soil & Water Conservation District
PARTNERS – Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, Trout Unlimited, Private Landowner
SCOPE – Field data collection & analysis, topographic survey, fish passage analysis, channel construction, habitat enhancement design, revegetation design, construction management, permitting
Stream is narrowed by a point bar re-vegetated with wetland sod and potted willows
Big Springs - Salmon Habitat Restoration
TYPE – Spring Creek Restoration
GOAL – Improve bank, channel and riparian conditions to address shade and habitat in areas where existing channel geometry and riparian vegetation is impaired
LOCATION – Leadore, ID
DATE – 2017-2018
CLIENT – Lemhi Regional Land Trust
PARTNERS – Rio ASE (DESIGN PARTNER), Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, Trout Unlimited, Private Landowner
SCOPE – Field data collection & analysis, revegetation design, 404 permitting, HIP III, coordination with partners, construction management, native plant revegetation
Town of Dubois - Pete’s Pond - public recreation area
TYPE – Trout Pond
GOAL – Design and construct a 3.1-acre recreation trout pond/wetland complex for public use adjacent to the Wind River ADA trail system.
LOCATION – Dubois, WY
DATE – 2013 - 2017
CLIENT – Dubois Anglers & Wildlife Group
SCOPE – Field data collection & analysis, topographic survey, groundwater monitoring, inlet diversion and outlet design, ACOE permitting, water rights permitting, engineered plan set, revegetation design, construction management
river restoration toolbox
This slideshow was presented at the Idaho American Fisheries Society Annual meeting in Februrary 2017
EDMISTON SPRING SNAKE RIVER CUTTHROAT PROJECT
TYPE – Spring Creek Restoration & Enhancement
GOAL – Improve water quality, stream function and native trout habitat on Edmiston Spring Creek
LOCATION – Wilson, WY
DATE – 2016
CLIENT – Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Trout Unlimited
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Fish Passage Analysis, Channel Restoration, Habitat Enhancement Design, Stakeholder Outreach & Communication
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ROCK CREEK RANCH HABITAT RESTORATION
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Restore stream health by improving water quality, habitat, and stream function; and to provide fish passage and connectivity between Rock Creek and the lower Big Wood River.
LOCATION – Bellevue, ID
DATE – 2016
CLIENT – Wood River Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Fish Passage Analysis & Design, Channel Restoration, Bank Stabilization, Ranch Planning
POPO AGIE RIVER FISH HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
TYPE – River Restoration
GOAL – Restore a section of the Popo Agie River through the town of Lander to provide low-flow habitat for salmonids.
LOCATION – Lander, WY
DATE – 2016
CLIENT – Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Trout Unlimited, Popo Agie Conservation District
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Hydraulic Modeling, Channel Restoration, Salmonid Habitat Enhancement, Revegetation Design, Construction Management
WARM SPRINGS CREEK HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
TYPE – Spring Creek Restoration & Enhancement
GOAL – Maximize trout habitat and angling opportunities on a degraded spring creek.
LOCATION – Mackay, ID
DATE – 2015
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Fish Passage Analysis, Channel Restoration, Trout Habitat Enhancement
ELY SPRING TROUT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
TYPE – Spring Creek Restoration & Enhancement
GOAL – Maximize trout habitat and angling opportunities on an irrigation ditch
LOCATION – Jackson, WY
DATE – 2015
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Field Data Collection & Analysis, Topographic Survey, Channel Restoration, Trout Habitat Enhancement
COLE BANK STABILIZATION
TYPE – Bio-engineered Streambank Stabilization
GOAL – Restore an eroding river bank using native plants
LOCATION – Salmon, ID
DATE – 2013
CLIENT – Lemhi Regional Land Trust
SCOPE – Topographic Survey, Hydraulic Modeling, HEC-RAS analysis, Bioengineered Bank Stabilization Design
Henry’s FORK BANK STABILIZATION
TYPE – Bio-engineered Streambank Stabilization
GOAL – Restore an three eroding river banks using native plants and innovative bio-engineering techniques
LOCATION – Rexburg, ID
DATE – 2013
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Topographic Survey, Hydraulic Modeling, HEC-RAS analysis, Bioengineered Bank Stabilization Design
Dreamcatcher Ranch Trout Pond
TYPE – Trout Pond
GOAL – Design and construct a 1.9 acre, groundwater fed, recreational ranch fishing pond.
LOCATION – Cora, WY
DATE – 2012
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Field data collection & analysis, topographic survey, groundwater monitoring, water rights permitting, engineered plan set, revegetation design, construction management
John Dodge Trout Pond
TYPE – Trout Pond
GOAL – Design and construct a lined, well-fed residential trout pond.
LOCATION – Jackson, WY
DATE – 2008
CLIENT – Private landowner
SCOPE – Field data collection & analysis, topographic survey, groundwater monitoring, well sizing, water rights permitting, Teton County permitting, revegetation design, construction management and revegetation
Granite Ranch Trout Pond
TYPE– Trout Pond
GOAL – Work with landscape architects, Hershberger Design, to design a trout pond with a wide native vegetation perimeter to attract wildlife and blend with the surrounding landscape.
LOCATION – Jackson, WY
DATE – 2007
CLIENT – Hershberger Design
SCOPE – Revegetation design, permitting assistance, construction management, and revegetation
Three Creek Ranch Golf Course Lakes
TYPE – Wetlands & Lakes
GOAL – Work with landscape architects, Verdone Landscaping, to design and install a wide native vegetation perimeter around the golf course ponds to blend with the surrounding landscape.
LOCATION – Jackson, WY
DATE – 2007
CLIENT – Three Creek Ranch
SCOPE – Revegetation design and installation.